Friday, September 26, 2008

Sergei Prokofiev...Peter and The Wolf


I joined the 3rd grade classes for a performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall of Peter & The Wolf. All I can say was "Amazing". Kaila had a blast as did I. It was nice to not ride the bus with the kiddos and drive over with two other mothers and relax and talk. It was worth paying for parking.


The kids had fun and ate lunch at the Plaza across the street from the Concert Hall.


In my quest for more culture for our family I'm thinking of getting season tickets (or partial season) for the family. Maybe that will be our family Chrismukkah gift.


So, if you have a chance to watch a modern version of Peter & The Wolf do so. Tickets aren't too cheap but this weekend they are giving free admission (if there are still tickets available) and the animation/puppetry was so cool. I was very impressed and Kaila told me before hand she loves when the bird is performed and well, the flutes do sound nice.


I've included a pic of us dressed nicely for the show as per the request of her teacher and it was nice to see a bunch of 3rd graders dressed nice for the show.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

8th Birthday Fun & Flying....

Kaila & Kit Kittridge at Jillians waiting for her guests to arrive

Kaila & pals relaxing during the bowling party

Blowing out the last of her 8 candles on her Tinker Bell cake

Funny kids

Kaila sky diving indoors, so brave!

Kaila & crew after sky diving

The pictures say it all. She had a blast, the kids had a blast, and the parents had a blast. Two sets of parents got info for their holiday parties. I think it went well and the best part was seeing Kaila have a great time!

Friday, September 5, 2008

Sneaky Sneaky

Let's just say this will be brief. My soon to be 8 year old asked to open the car last night when we left the mall. I said sure, she's done it before. She heard me tell her father her birthday gift (Kit Kittridge and stuff) was in my trunk. So.......she opened the trunk. If she didn't only have one request and if we didn't tell her that is all she'd get maybe I'd be upset but it reminded me of Christmas and wanting to sneak to open gifts and the time I opened the bottom of a package and found out there was a Barbie there. Still, what a sneaky but happy little girl.

Yes, she knows she's not getting her until tomorrow.....

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

1st Day..New Memories..3rd Grade

Today was the first day of third grade. Kaila was excited and I learned that she's become a bit more independent and today chose her outfit for the first time. I usually pick out her first day of school outfit but she really wanted to wear this.

I was pleased with the teacher she got this year Ms. Gordon. We learned that after the winter break her class will be going to LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) weekly and doing a special Art program. One of the perks of going to an Art Prototype school.

Kaila and only one other girl from her class last year were in this class together. I was worried at first because even though this one girl is her friend I was worried she'd not play or be with her core group of friends. I was wrong and she said she played with her friends at recess and at lunch. I know that her not knowing a lot of the kids in her class is a great opportunity to grow as a person and learn more about the people she is in school with. It's nice to grow up along with her.

I'm so excited for this next year. I can't wait to see her become more and more independent and though it makes me a bit sad I'm glad that she's becoming more self confident and growing up to be a fine young lady.

Stay tuned....







Monday, September 1, 2008

In Memory of Francine....

We went yesterday to do the memorial for my aunt at Descanso Gardens in La Canada. I realized it was a month to the day since she'd passed away. It was a nice day with Eric, Kaila, my mother Raylene, and nephew Tony. Below are some photos of our day....









My mother brought photos of Francine. Here she was as a baby.....











As a teenager.....











and as an adult....








Francine after the Parkinson's started to take over. This is her with Kaila as a newborn. Almost 8 years ago.






Just an example of the beautiful peace of Descanso Gardens










I love these fountains. It was such a beautiful day!









My mother and Tony








Eric, Kaila, & I
It is good to know that I am able to be present for my family today. About 11 years ago that wasn't an option. I was too selfish. We are going to scatter her ashes this October and spend a weekend as a family in Big Bear because it's a place she loved to visit. I know she was with us at Descanso Gardens. I'm going to go through the family photos and see if there are any photos of her gardens that she used to maintain.
My family is small and we don't have lots of pictures so I've learned that I need to keep better record of our growing family so we have lots to look back on in years to come.
It feels good to share this because my family means so much to me today..